Brabant – Guus Meeuwis
Een muts op m'n hoofd
M'n kraag staat omhoog
't is hier ijskoud
Maar gelukkig wel droog
De dagen zijn kort hier
De nacht begint vroeg
De mensen zijn stug en d'r is maar een kroeg
Als ik naar m'n hotel loop, na een donkere dag
Dan voel ik m'n huissleutel diep in m'n zak
En ik loop hier alleen in een te stille stad
Ik heb eigenlijk nooit last van heimwee gehad
Maar de mensen ze slapen, de wereld gaat dicht
En dan denk ik aan brabant, want daar brandt nog licht
Ik mis hier de warmte van een dorpscafé
De aanspraak van mensen met een zachte G
Ik mis zelfs het zeiken op alles om niets
Was men maar op Brabant zo trots als een Fries
In het zuiden vol zon woon ik samen met jou
't Is daarom dat ik zo van Brabanders hou
Ik loop hier alleen in een te stille stad
Ik heb eigenlijk nooit last van heimwee gehad
Maar de mensen, ze slapen, de wereld gaat dicht
En dan denk ik aan Brabant want daar brandt nog licht
De Peel en de Kempen en de Meierij
Maar 't mooiste aan Brabant ben jij, dat ben jij
En ik loop hier alleen in een te stille stad
Ik heb eigenlijk nooit last van heimwee gehad
Maar de mensen, ze slapen, de wereld gaat dicht
En dan denk ik aan Brabant, want daar brandt nog licht
English Translation
A hat on my head
My collar stands up
It's ice cold here
But thankfully dry
The days here are short
The night begins early
The people are stiff
And there is only one pub
When I walk to my hotel, after a dark day
Then I feel my house key, deep in my pocket
And I'm walking here alone in a city that's too still
I have actually never been bothered by homesickness
But the people, they sleep, the world shuts down
And then I think of Brabant, because there the lights are still on
I miss the warmth of the local pub
The voice of people with a soft "G"
I even miss the complaining, about everything, because of nothing
If only people were as proud of Brabant as a Frisian
The South full of sun, is where I live with you
That's why I love people from Brabant so much
And I'm walking here alone in a city that's too still
I have actually never been bothered by homesickness
But the people, they sleep, the world shuts down
And then I think of Brabant, because there the lights are still on
The Peel and the Kempen and the Meierij,
But you’re the most beautiful part of Brabant, that’s you
And I'm walking here alone in a city that's too still
I have actually never been bothered by homesickness
But the people, they sleep, the world shuts down
And then I think of Brabant, because there the lights are still on
Meaning
The song "Brabant" by Guus Meeuwis speaks to the artist's longing for his home province, Brabant, in the Netherlands. Penned during his travels, it captures his yearning for the people, nature, and family, with his longing for his partner being particularly overruling. The song resonates as the provincial anthem for Brabant, universally known and sung along to whenever its melody fills the air.
Personally, I feel a connection to the song and the province through the countless stories shared by my grandparents, whose roots lie in Brabant.
Driving through the province with my grandfather holds special significance for me. He points out various buildings and locations, each with its own personal story and meaning to him. These spots range from places where he played with friends, to where he met my grandma, or attended church. Each spot carries layers of significance, always revealing a backstory I could have never imagined. A place we’ve driven past countless times has a meaning no one else would realize.
Similarly, one night while driving home with my grandmother from the neighboring province of Limburg, she reflected on how she never felt the same way there as she does in Brabant. She feels more comfortable in the place where she grew up, and where everyone knows her name. Returning to her roots brought her a sense of relief and belonging she couldn't find elsewhere.
The mention of "De Peel en de Kempen en de Meierij" in the song holds particular significance for me. These are places familiar to my grandpa, where he used to go running, and where he now takes us when he wants to share something meaningful to him with the rest of the family.
For my family, Brabant isn't just a place; it's their forever-home, deeply ingrained in their lives. Despite their travels and experiences across continents, Brabant remains the most significant to them, each person forging their own connections through family, football, and community.
While my grandparents' roots are firmly planted in Brabant, my own background is more diverse, with ties to Canada through my father. Having lived in Amsterdam, Italy, and now the UK, I never really know where my true roots lie. However, one thing I know for sure is that home is where my family is, regardless of where my house is.
